District moving forward with outdoor activities

The Auglaize County Heritage Park District commissioners will be moving forward with outdoor activities modified for the COVID era.

Discussions at Tuesday’s meeting involved planning a self-guided wildflower hike at Elizabeth Kuffner Nature Preserve in St. Marys next month. Details about that hike are expected to be posted to social media as it approaches.

“I think this is a great idea,” Terry McDonald, the board’s administrative assistant, said.

She has been looking through old photos of the preserve to determine what to point out. Some of the commonly seen flowers include bloodroot and Mayapple.

“I think it’s doable and relatively easy to accomplish,” McDonald said.

McDonald and Beth Keuneke, St. Marys Community Public Library adult services coordinator, are brainstorming a way to hold a Gardener’s Swap and Share in May, but in a different form.

“We will have a presenter, Kris Kline of the Butterfly Ridge Butterfly Conservation Center,” Park Commissioner Allison Brady said. Kline will discuss how to attract butterflies. Details regarding the speaker are still being developed though it is expected to be held at 7 p.m. on May 11.

Brady explained that for two weeks the library was lending them use of a cart for pick up and drop off of gardening supplies. Brady said that would include plants as well. The swap and share had previously been on a single night. That two week period is still being finalized.

Park Commissioner Dave Stillwell also shared content management website updates that Midnet Media of Minster provided. He said the new system is more “plug and play.”

Park District officials plan to promote an Earth Day effort to pick up roadside trash to beautify Auglaize County.

Commissioners approved Ohio Department of Transportation funds for paving and went into executive session to discuss real estate with no action taken.